Wicket processing machine, wicket processing method, and wicket processing program

Abstract

To ensure that information used in the commuter pass fare processing can be carried over when switching to the commuter pass issuance processing.SOLUTION: A wicket processing machine according to an embodiment includes: an input information acquisition unit for acquiring input information; an input information determination unit for determining whether the input information has been read from a two-dimensional code; a fare retrieval control unit for retrieving a route from a departure station to a destination station and a commuter pass fare for the route based on the input information when it is determined that the input information has not been read from the two-dimensional code, and generating route information; a display control unit that displays the route information, detects pressing of a selection button corresponding to the route included in the displayed route information, displays pass issuance information containing the route and input information corresponding to the selection button, and detects pressing of a confirmation button included in the pass issuance information; and a pass issuance control unit that writes pass information to an IC card of a passenger in response to detection of pressing of the confirmation button.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a teller processing machine, a teller processing method, and a teller processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] At the ticket window, there is a commuter pass fare calculation service, which calculates the fare or refund amount for a commuter pass in response to inquiries from passengers. This service simply displays the route from the departure station to the destination station and the commuter pass fare corresponding to that route. Therefore, when a passenger purchases a specified commuter pass, the ticket window must switch from the commuter pass fare calculation service to the commuter pass issuance service.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for reading a two-dimensional code from a two-dimensional code ticket and issuing a commuter pass instead of issuing a commuter pass fare. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-139579 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When issuing a commuter pass at the ticket window, the information used for the commuter pass fare transaction cannot be carried over to the commuter pass transaction, so the station attendant must re-enter the information. This means that the station attendant must enter the same information twice, which is time-consuming.

[0006] This invention was made with the above circumstances in mind, and its purpose is to provide technology that enables information used in commuter pass fare operations to be carried over when switching between commuter pass fare operations and commuter pass issuance operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The counter processing machine of the embodiment comprises an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information, an input information determination unit that determines whether the input information has been read from a two-dimensional code, a fare search control unit that, if it determines that the input information has not been read from a two-dimensional code, searches for a route from the departure station to the destination station and a commuter fare for the route based on the input information and generates route information including the search results, a display control unit that displays the route information, detects the pressing of a decision button associated with a route included in the displayed route information, displays commuter pass issuance information including the route corresponding to the decision button and the input information, and detects the pressing of a confirmation button included in the commuter pass issuance information, and a commuter pass issuance control unit that writes the commuter pass information to an IC card held by the passenger in response to detecting the pressing of the confirmation button. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a counter processing machine according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a commuter pass issuing procedure in the ticket window processing machine shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display and the passenger display according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display and the passenger display according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display and the passenger display according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail the counter processing machine, the counter processing method, and the counter processing program with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and redundant explanations will be omitted. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common symbol may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, or a subnumber may be used in addition to the common symbol to describe each element with distinction between them.

[0010] [Embodiment] (composition) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a counter processing machine 1 according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the details of the hardware configuration of the teller processing machine 1 will be described. The counter processing machine 1 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and an input / output interface 15. The control unit 11, the program storage unit 12, the data storage unit 13, the communication interface 14, and the input / output interface 15 are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0011] The ticket counter processing machine 1 can perform various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer). The ticket counter processing machine 1 is a machine operated by station staff and can issue various tickets required for riding trains, such as passenger tickets, commuter passes, and special tickets.

[0012] The control unit 11 controls the teller processing machine 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0013] The program storage unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) as a storage medium that can be written to and read from at any time, and a nonvolatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), and stores middleware such as an operating system (OS) as well as application programs required to execute various control processes according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the OS and each application program will be collectively referred to as the program.

[0014] The data storage unit 13 may be, for example, a combination of a nonvolatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), as a storage medium.

[0015] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that connects to an external device via a wired or wireless connection directly or via a network. The communication interface 14 may be any general communication interface as long as it can communicate with an external device under the control of the control unit 11 and send and receive various information.

[0016] The input / output interface 15 is connected to the input unit 151, the output unit 152, the station attendant display 153, the passenger display 154, the IC card reader / writer 155, the code reader 156, etc. The input / output interface 15 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 11 and the input unit 151, the output unit 152, the station attendant display 153, the passenger display 154, the IC card reader / writer 155, and the code reader 156. The input / output interface 15 may be integrated with the communication interface 14. For example, the input / output interface 15 is wirelessly connected to the control unit 11 and the input unit 151, the output unit 152, the station attendant display 153, the passenger display 154, the IC card reader / writer 155, or the code reader 156 using short-range wireless technology or the like, and the input / output interface 15 may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0017] The input unit 151 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., which are used by a station attendant managing the ticket counter 1 to input various pieces of information to the ticket counter 1. The input unit 151 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 12 or the data storage unit 13 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium. The output unit 152 includes a printer, etc., for printing various paper tickets, receipts, etc.

[0018] The station staff display 153 is a display for displaying various information to station staff. The passenger display 154 is a display for displaying various information to passengers. The station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 are display devices using, for example, liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence (EL) or the like, and display images, messages, etc. in response to signals input from the input / output interface 15. The station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 also include an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method and is arranged on the display screen, and outputs the touch position of the station staff or passenger to the control unit 11 via the input / output interface 15. Therefore, the control unit 11 can detect which button the station staff or passenger pressed based on the touch position.

[0019] The IC card reader / writer 155 includes a reader that reads IC card information from an IC card held up by a station attendant or a passenger, and a writer that writes various information to the IC card. For example, the IC card reader / writer 155 writes commuter pass information to the IC card. Here, the commuter pass information includes information such as adult / child, commuter / student, regular / discount, departure station, arrival station, intermediate stations, expiration date, and name. Furthermore, the IC card information includes information such as the IC card ID, charge amount, expiration date, etc.

[0020] The code reader 156 is a reader for reading code information from a two-dimensional code displayed on a medium (e.g., a mobile terminal, a wearable terminal, a tablet terminal, etc.) owned by a passenger. The code information includes, for example, information necessary for issuing a commuter pass.

[0021] Next, the software configuration of the counter processing machine 1 will be described in detail. The control unit 11 includes an input information acquisition unit 111, an input information determination unit 112, a fare search control unit 113, a display control unit 114, a commuter pass issuance control unit 115, and the like.

[0022] The input information acquiring unit 111 is an acquiring unit that acquires input information. For example, a station attendant inputs the input information by filling in items displayed on the station attendant display 153 using the input unit 151. The input information acquiring unit 111 acquires the input information input to the input unit 151. Furthermore, the input information acquiring unit 111 may acquire input information that is code information read from a medium by the code reader 156.

[0023] Here, the input information includes information such as category (adult / child), departure station, destination station, intermediate stations, new / renewal, commuter / student, general / discount, start date (commuter pass issue date), expiration date, etc. Furthermore, when the code reader 156 reads the input information from the medium, the input information includes, in addition to the above information, route information on which route to take to purchase the commuter pass, information indicating whether payment has been made, etc.

[0024] The input information determination unit 112 is a determination unit that determines whether or not the input information is information read from a two-dimensional code. For example, the input information determination unit 112 determines whether or not the input information is information read from a two-dimensional code depending on whether the input information is acquired by keyboard input of the input unit 151 or acquired from the code reader 156.

[0025] The fare search control unit 113 is a search unit that searches for fares. For example, the fare search control unit 113 searches for fares from fare information stored in the fare information storage unit 131 based on input information. Then, the fare search control unit 113 generates route information including the searched route and the commuter fare for the route.

[0026] The display control unit 114 is a control unit that controls the display of various information such as route information on the station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154. Details of the information displayed on the station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 will be described later.

[0027] Commuter pass issuance control unit 115 is a control unit that issues a commuter pass to an IC card. For example, commuter pass issuance control unit 115 writes commuter pass information to an IC card held over IC card reader / writer 155. This causes the commuter pass to be issued. When issuing the commuter pass, a predetermined commuter fare is paid, but as any common payment method will suffice, a detailed description of this method will be omitted here.

[0028] The data storage unit 13 includes a fare information storage unit 131. The fare information storage unit 131 is a storage unit used to store the route from the departure station to the destination station, the commuter fare from the departure station to the destination station, and the like.

[0029] (operation) For example, if a passenger wants to issue a commuter pass with a student discount or a ticket that uses a specific service, the ticket may not be issued by a ticket vending machine. Therefore, the passenger must go to a station ticket counter and have station attendant issue the ticket using the ticket processing machine 1. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the passenger wants to issue a commuter pass to an IC card owned by the passenger using the ticket processing machine 1. Here, the commuter pass issued to the IC card may be any type, including commuter passes that can also be issued by a ticket vending machine. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a commuter pass issuing procedure in the ticket window processing machine 1 shown in FIG. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 11 of the teller processing machine 1 reading and executing a program stored in the program storage unit 12.

[0030] For example, when a passenger wants to issue a commuter pass to an IC card, the passenger hands a paper medium on which the necessary information for issuing the commuter pass is written to a station attendant. In this case, the station attendant first performs a commuter pass fare transaction. Then, the display control unit 114 may control the station attendant display 153 and the passenger display 154 to display a display screen for the commuter pass fare transaction.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3(a) is a screen displayed on the station staff display 153, and FIG. 3(b) is a screen displayed on the passenger display 154.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the station attendant display 153 displays items necessary for inputting information to search for commuter pass fares. Items include, for example, adult / child, new / renewal, commuter / student, regular / discount, departure station, arrival station, and intermediate stations. These are not limited to these items as long as they are necessary for purchasing a commuter pass. Also, it is possible to display only the necessary items among these items. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(b), at this stage, the passenger display 154 does not display any information.

[0033] In this embodiment, this flowchart starts when a station attendant inputs information written on paper into these items.

[0034] Alternatively, the operation of this flowchart may be initiated by a passenger holding a two-dimensional code displayed on their mobile terminal over code reader 156. For example, a passenger accesses a commuter pass reservation site provided by the railway operator, or uses an application provided by the railway operator to input the information required to purchase a commuter pass. The passenger then reserves the commuter pass they wish to purchase, or performs payment to purchase the commuter pass. The passenger then obtains, by email or other means, a two-dimensional code containing information including the commuter pass purchase reservation or commuter pass purchase information. The passenger then holds the two-dimensional code over code reader 156 at counter processing machine 1 and wishes to have the commuter pass issued onto an IC card.

[0035] In step ST101, the input information acquisition unit 111 acquires input information. For example, the input information acquisition unit 111 inputs the input information by a station attendant filling in the items displayed on the station attendant display 153 using the input unit 151, in accordance with the information written on a paper medium by a passenger to purchase a commuter pass. The input information acquisition unit 111 acquires the input information input to the input unit 151.

[0036] Alternatively, the code reader 156 detects a two-dimensional code displayed on the medium and reads input information from the detected two-dimensional code. Then, the input information acquisition unit 111 acquires the input information read by the code reader 156. The input information acquisition unit 111 outputs the acquired input information to the input information determination unit 112.

[0037] In step ST102, the input information determination unit 112 determines whether the acquired input information is information read from a two-dimensional code. The input information determination unit 112 determines whether the input information is information read from a two-dimensional code depending on whether the input information was acquired by keyboard input of the input unit 151 or acquired from the code reader 156.

[0038] Alternatively, the input information determination unit 112 may determine whether the input information has been read from a two-dimensional code based on information included in the input information. For example, if the input information includes route information and payment information, the input information determination unit 112 may determine that the input information has been read from a two-dimensional code.

[0039] If it is determined that the input information has not been read from the two-dimensional code, the input information determination unit 112 outputs the input information to the fare search control unit 113. Then, the process proceeds to step ST103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the input information has been read from the two-dimensional code, the process proceeds to step ST108.

[0040] In step ST103, the fare search control unit 113 searches for a fare. Based on the input information, the fare search control unit 113 searches for a fare from the fare information stored in the fare information storage unit 131. That is, the fare search control unit 113 is responsible for commuter pass fare operations. During the search, the fare search control unit 113 may search for multiple routes from the destination station to the destination station. For example, the fare search control unit 113 may search not only for the shortest route from the destination station to the destination station, but also for a detour route. Furthermore, the fare search control unit 113 may search for the cheapest route from the destination station to the destination station, a two-section route for a two-section commuter pass, etc. Here, a two-section commuter pass is, for example, a commuter pass that allows use of two different routes with one commuter pass. The fare search control unit 113 then generates route information including the searched route and the commuter fare for the route. The fare search control unit 113 outputs the route information to the display control unit 114.

[0041] In step ST104, the display control unit 114 controls the display 153 for station staff and the display 154 for passengers to display the route information.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4(a) is a screen displayed on the station staff display 153, and FIG. 4(b) is a screen displayed on the passenger display 154.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the station attendant display 153 displays route N1 and route N2 according to the input information, and displays the one-month, three-month, and six-month commuter fares for each route. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the passenger display 154 displays route details corresponding to route N1 and route N2, and displays the one-month, three-month, and six-month commuter fares for each route. The passenger display 154 also displays detailed information about the intermediate stations through which routes N1 and N2 travel from the departure station to the destination station. While FIG. 4 shows an example in which two routes are displayed, any number of routes may be displayed.

[0044] In step ST105, the input information acquisition unit 111 acquires purchase information. Next, the passenger presses the commuter pass purchase button displayed below the route N1 or route N2 for which the passenger wishes to purchase a commuter pass. Alternatively, the passenger tells the station attendant whether they wish to purchase route N1 or route N2. The station attendant presses the selection button corresponding to route N1 or route N2 displayed on the station attendant display 153. The input information acquisition unit 111 acquires purchase information indicating which route's commuter pass is being purchased based on the information pressed by the passenger or station attendant. The input information acquisition unit 111 outputs the purchase information and input information to the display control unit 114.

[0045] In step ST106, the display control unit 114 displays a commuter pass issuance screen on the display 153 for station staff.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the station staff display 153 and the passenger display 154 according to this embodiment. 5(a) is a screen displayed on the station staff display 153, and FIG. 5(b) is a screen displayed on the passenger display 154.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the station attendant display 153 displays a screen for the commuter pass issuance process. The display control unit 114 then controls the display so that the information included in the input information and purchase information is already entered. In other words, the route is confirmed when the passenger decides on the commuter pass for the route they wish to purchase. Therefore, the display control unit 114 can pass the input information, such as the confirmed route, to the commuter pass issuance process. The station attendant may also input additional information required for issuing the commuter pass into the station attendant display 153. The station attendant then presses an input confirmation button displayed on the station attendant display 153. The input information acquisition unit 111 outputs the acquired information to the commuter pass issuance control unit 115.

[0048] In step ST107, commuter pass issuance control unit 115 issues a commuter pass. For example, commuter pass issuance control unit 115 writes commuter pass information to an IC card held over IC card reader / writer 155. This causes the commuter pass to be issued. When issuing the commuter pass, a predetermined commuter fare is paid, but as any common payment method will suffice, a detailed description of this method will be omitted here.

[0049] In step ST108, the input information determination unit 112 determines whether payment has been made. The input information determination unit 112 determines whether payment information is included in the commuter pass information read from the two-dimensional code. If it is determined that payment information is not included, the input information determination unit 112 outputs the input information to the display control unit 114. Then, the processing proceeds to step ST106. On the other hand, if it is determined that payment information is included, the input information determination unit 112 outputs the input information to the commuter pass issuance control unit 115. Then, the processing proceeds to step ST107.

[0050] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, the information entered in the commuter pass fare transaction can be carried over to the commuter pass issuance transaction. This eliminates the need for station staff to re-enter the information entered in the commuter pass fare transaction for the commuter pass issuance transaction, thereby reducing the workload of station staff.

[0051] The ticket window processing machine 1 also displays multiple routes on the station attendant display 153 and the passenger display 154. Furthermore, passengers can select their desired route by pressing a button displayed on the passenger display 154. This allows the input information used in the commuter pass fare transaction to be carried over to the commuter pass issuance transaction. Furthermore, by having the passenger select the route, miscommunication between station attendants and passengers can be prevented.

[0052] [Other embodiments] In this embodiment, station attendants may also talk to passengers to display commuter passes that offer better service. For example, a two-section commuter pass may be available depending on the passenger's departure and destination stations. In such cases, station attendants may input information so that information about the two-section commuter pass (two-section commuter route) is displayed in the commuter pass fare transaction. This allows for better service to be provided to passengers.

[0053] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, and in such cases, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining the disclosed multiple constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...Counter processing machine 11...Control unit 111...Input information acquisition unit 112...input information determination unit 113...Fare search control unit 114...Display control unit 115...Commuter pass issuance control unit 12...Program memory section 13...Data storage unit 131...Fare information storage unit 14...Communication interface 15...Input / output interface 151...input section 152...Output section 153...Station staff display 154...Passenger display 155...IC card reader / writer 156...Code reader

Claims

1. an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information; an input information determination unit that determines whether the input information is read from a two-dimensional code; a fare search control unit that, when it is determined that the input information has not been read from the two-dimensional code, searches for a route from the departure station to the destination station and a commuter fare for the route based on the input information, and generates route information including the search results; a display control unit that displays the route information, detects pressing of a decision button associated with a route included in the displayed route information, displays commuter pass issuance information including the route corresponding to the decision button and the input information, and detects pressing of a confirmation button included in the commuter pass issuance information; a commuter pass issuance control unit that writes commuter pass information into an IC card possessed by the passenger in response to detecting pressing of the confirmation button; A counter processing machine equipped with:

2. The display control unit controls the station staff display and the passenger display to display the route information, and the passenger display to display the route including the departure station, the destination station, and intermediate stations, and the regular fare for the route. The teller processing machine according to claim 1.

3. The display control unit detects pressing of the decision button displayed on the passenger display. The teller processing machine according to claim 2.

4. When it is determined that the input information has been read from a two-dimensional code, the input information determination unit determines whether the input information includes payment information. The teller processing machine according to claim 1.

5. When it is determined that the input information does not include payment information, the display control unit displays commuter pass issuance information including the input information. The teller processing machine according to claim 4.

6. If it is determined that the input information includes payment information, The commuter pass issuance control unit writes commuter pass information to the IC card. The teller processing machine according to claim 4.

7. the fare search control unit generates the route information including a plurality of routes and commuter pass fares for each of the plurality of routes, and one of the plurality of routes includes information about a two-zone commuter pass; The teller processing machine according to claim 1.

8. A teller processing method executed by a processor of a teller processing machine, comprising: Obtaining input information; determining whether the input information is read from a two-dimensional code; If it is determined that the input information has not been read from the two-dimensional code, searching for a route from a departure station to a destination station and a commuter fare for the route based on the input information; generating route information including the searched results; displaying the route information; Detecting a press of a decision button associated with a route included in the displayed route information; Displaying commuter pass issuance information including the route corresponding to the decision button and the input information; Detecting the pressing of a confirmation button included in the commuter pass issuance information; In response to detecting the pressing of the confirmation button, writing commuter pass information into an IC card possessed by the passenger; A counter processing method comprising:

9. 1. A teller program comprising instructions for execution by a processor of a teller machine, the instructions comprising: Obtaining input information; determining whether the input information is read from a two-dimensional code; If it is determined that the input information has not been read from the two-dimensional code, searching for a route from a departure station to a destination station and a commuter fare for the route based on the input information; generating route information including the searched results; displaying the route information; Detecting a press of a decision button associated with a route included in the displayed route information; Displaying commuter pass issuance information including the route corresponding to the decision button and the input information; Detecting the pressing of a confirmation button included in the commuter pass issuance information; In response to detecting the pressing of the confirmation button, writing commuter pass information into an IC card possessed by the passenger; A window processing program comprising:

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